Friday, March 20, 2009

Mallika rising...Nandita shining

I am so delighted that our Mallika Sarabhai has jumped into the fray - finally!! It may be twenty years too late, but what the hell. She has done it! Good for her. Mallika has led her life on her own terms and occasionally paid a pretty stiff price for some of her unconventional decisions. But that has never stopped this feisty woman from putting herself on the line and taking on the likes of Narendra Modi - on his own turf! I have known Mallika forever. I appreciate what she stands for. I love 'amma' , her mother Mrinalini, who continues to be a babe, even now in her eighties! Mallika 's opponent will be the mighty L.K. Advani. A few months ago, I found myself sharing a taxi with Mallika in Paris at some ghastly hour. She was on her way to Boston, and I was headed home. Dressed in lime green khadi silk pajamas and a flowing jacket, Mallika cut a pretty striking figure at Charles de Gaulle airport, where the rest were predictably and uniformly clad in dismal winter greys and blacks. Mallika stood out - she always has.I heard her on Arnab's show as she tried her best to spell out her agenda while a BJP spokesperson challenged her every utterance. She remained undaunted, if a little vague. She has boldly taken the plunge as an independent candidate ( I respect that). She says it is not about victory, but she definitely intends putting up a tough fight. She is all over the newspapers this morning talking about democratic principles, women, criminalisation of politics etc .etc. It is a brave decision. Mallika - go for it!Wow! Two attractive, articulate and outspoken ladies, both gunning for Modi. The other one is Nandita Das whose film 'Firaaq' has opened to brilliant notices. Narendra Modi must feel flattered! Coincidentally, the last time I met Nandita was also in Paris. We bonded on a bateau, discussed life, her father Jatin (whose work I've lways admired), and her film. Nandita and Mallika have a lot in common. I wonder if they know just how much. These are the sort of women who can hold their own anywhere in the world. Maybe Nandita should also announce her willingness to take on a neta in the coming elections - why not Modi himself ??

22 comments:

nandita and mallika are the kind of women we can look up to ... who practice what they believe in... the kind who don't just talk about the ills of society without actually doing anything to make a difference... cudos to both of them and may their tribe increase...

The malaise is the hatred that a substantial number of India's people harbour for those who belong to minority communities and which causes them to vote for the politicians who are seen as responsible for large-scale killings of minorities.

there are some actors and dancers who "act". And some they act really well. And there are some who just are themselves. They just "Be" themselves to bring in belief and deep understanding of the characters to the end viewer. Mallika and Nandita belong to their category. I havent really seen them act. But they are the finest actors of our country.

And Firaaq... just saw some snapshots... of what i have seen it seems like not just the average provocative film... it seems to be nonjudgmental and with people (not characters) Im really looking forward to watching this movie.

and ramandeep.. i feel de is good here... and if she does get into politics, she will have to be an independent candidate... because she will not shy from blasting any party if they wrong, matter not if it is the party she belongs to. Hai na De?

Mallika dosent have a chance and will not be leaving Advani sleepless. While I imagine victory is not possible I have to admire her for standing upto her convictions and taking the plunge. Her action is an important statement. It will make people think and perhaps influence a few from accepting a fait accompli (established process or established heavyweight).

It is a statement and one that needs to be made.

In much the same way I will be happy if Shashi Tharoor throws his glove in the Kerala ring too. While I doubt how effective a politician he will be... at heart he remains an erudite, intellectual babu... he will certainly provide an alternative to those who havent made up thier minds already.

If people with good intentions dont make a statement, whose voice will we hear?

About Nandita Das, I would not hold my breath waiting for her to enter active politics. Brilliant woman with clear convictions, but she has many, many things to do before she throws her hat into the cesspool of politics.

Firaq was an ok movie. It made a statement and talked about things that were left unsaid. Brilliant film it was not. I admire her for making the film in anycase because it has the potential to open a dialog.

Do you really think that Mallikaji can win election against Advaniji? And one more thing, there are lots of artists in politics who didn't do anything after winning the election. Like Amitabh Bacchan, Govinda, Vinod Khanna and no one of them did any work for welfare and development of people. We need people who works for people.By the way, I am just wondering what do you think about comments of Varun Gandhi? is it hype created by media?

I have always been a fan of Mallika. And I do admire her for contesting as an independent against L K Advani.

I haven't seen Firaaq yet. Hope to do so soon.

What's with the Modi bashing?As far as I know, he is not contesting the LokSabha elections. And if he were to do so, who is going to contest against him?Shabana Azmi? Teesta Setalvad? or better yet - Abu Azmi? Sunjay Dutt?!He won fair and square twice since the riots. How about going after him using the PIL route?

And how about encouraging (challenging?) our intellectuals to contest against Mulayam, Lalu, Brinda Karat and the rest of that good-for-nothing crowd. Add Mayawati to that list too IF she were to contest this time.

First of all I feel great to see these women standing for something that they believe in. I respect Mr. Advani, but at the same time Mallika is slightly late coming into politics; better late than never.

Nandita has always believed in her work which made her carve a ground for herself and now that she is into direction we can expect some meaningful movies in future. Let her be in movies for some time.

And finally, Ma'm, why don't you consider coming into politics??? I mean you have reached to so many people in this country now and you have been unbiased in your opinions throughout. I/we sincerely believe the time has come for you to be part of our parliament and take a stand that truly represents women, the common men and all the Indians.

I dont know whether ppl are asleep or they just want to be ignorant and just get into limelight.. Well Firaaq's is another film which wants to show what happened in riots and share the limelight..

Frankly I still dont understand as to, why not in a single movie made on 2002 Gujarat riots, ever shows the Godhra incident in which a complete compartment of train was set a blaze and so many ppl were burnt alive ?????????? Because movies like Firaaq have the only intention of getting into limelight by showing wat happened in riots and attracting the soft corner of ppl, but its doesnt want to show which incident fomented the riots......

Not a single activist comes forward and highlights the development and progess made in the state of Gujarat.. No one highlights the fact in Gujarat we get 24hrs of Electricity 24x7, even in the villages.. No one highlights the fact that ppl get adequate driking water round the clock...

Because if activist highlight the pros of Mr. Modi then i guess they never come into the limelight.. So cheers to the ignorance and bliss !!!!!!!!!!

I had the opportunity to wtch Mallika live in performance with her troupe at the Kala Ghoda Arts Fest last year; i was awed by her, esp coz i had read so much abouit about her. The next day i happened to sit next to her on the lawns on Horniman Circle while attending Kavita Seth's Sufi music concert and i must confess i was overwhelmed by the lovely coincidence.

Saw 'Firaaq' Fri night. Loved the way Nandita handled the issue of post-riot trauma without depicting violence as such, except a few scenes (which weren't ghory at all). Performances were superlative, Naseer's stolen the show. Loved Nandita's eye for detail which emerged in the screenplay-direction.

Laughable!! Both your post and the decision of Shrimati Sarabhai to 'fight' the elections.

The day she announced this, she said that she'll be contesting on a Congress ticket. But then Congress leaders refuted the claim and she had to brand herself an 'independent'. I think licking Sonia Madam's boots wasn't enough.

Anyway, let her come. Let all the activists come. Let all the pseudo seculars come to Gujarat. And after they've had their day in sunshine, let them silently pass into the abyss.

And Mrs. De, since you are so happy about her decision, why don't you come and support her in at least one public gathering in Ahmedabad?

P.S. I have started loving your posts. Like the Paki ministers, you too live in denial.

This one is by far the best post for me. Yes, yes, Nandita and Mallika, 2 amazing ladies of the modern India. I am glad they are ready to take on the big guns, unlike our Sunju baba, of gandhigiri fame.

A truly motivational and life changing bookThis book is really a good book which shows us right path. but i readone more book named "ONE BOOK FOR LIFE SUCCESS" which is trulymotivational and life changing . .The writer has described in Plain English with lot of examples which is easy to understand...For MorePlease watch the videohttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=biORjS8ngv0